How to fight bedbugs in an apartment with your own hands? - briefly
Locate infestations, launder all fabrics at ≥60 °C, vacuum seams and cracks, then apply a residual insecticide spray or heat treatment to the affected rooms and seal entry points. Monitor with sticky traps for several weeks to confirm eradication.
How to fight bedbugs in an apartment with your own hands? - in detail
Bedbugs thrive in cracks, seams, and clutter, so the first step is to reduce hiding places. Remove all unnecessary items from the living space, seal clothing and linens in zip‑lock bags, and vacuum every surface, paying special attention to mattress edges, headboards, bed frames, baseboards, and upholstered furniture. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag and place it in an outdoor trash bin.
Next, identify the extent of the infestation. Examine seams of mattresses, box springs, and cushions for live insects, shed skins, or dark spots of feces. Use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to improve visibility. Mark heavily infested zones with colored tape to prioritize treatment.
Prepare a multi‑pronged approach:
- Heat treatment – Wash all bedding, curtains, and clothing in water hotter than 60 °C (140 °F) and dry on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes. Place infested items that cannot be laundered in a portable dryer or a sealed container and expose them to a professional‑grade heat chamber, if available, at 48–54 °C (118–130 °F) for several hours.
- Cold treatment – Freeze non‑washable items in a freezer set at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days to kill all life stages.
- Chemical options – Apply a residual insecticide labeled for bedbug control to cracks, crevices, and the underside of furniture. Follow label directions precisely, wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation. For immediate knock‑down, use a contact spray on visible insects and egg clusters.
- Diatomaceous earth – Lightly dust a food‑grade diatomaceous earth powder along baseboards, behind furniture, and inside mattress seams. The abrasive particles damage the insects’ exoskeletons, leading to dehydration.
- Encasements – Install zippered mattress and box‑spring covers that are certified bedbug‑proof. Seal them tightly and leave in place for at least one year to prevent re‑infestation.
After treatment, repeat the vacuuming process daily for two weeks, disposing of the collected debris as described earlier. Inspect the sealed items weekly for any signs of resurgence. Maintain a clutter‑free environment, regularly wash bedding at high temperatures, and monitor travel luggage before bringing it into the home.
Finally, establish a long‑term monitoring system. Place passive interceptor traps under each leg of the bed and furniture. Replace traps every two weeks and record any captures. Early detection enables rapid response, preventing a full‑scale outbreak.